Shingle collecting and bundling machine



Oct. 7, 1952 w. H. ALDEN, JR 2,612,933

SHINGLE commune ANDBUNDLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 4, 1948 I s Sheets-Sheet1 F IG.I.

COLLECTING POCKETS CONVEYOR ROLLER CONVEYOR CLAMSHELL TYPE I TYINGCONVEYOR INVENTOR. WILLIAM HYDE ALDENQ-JR.

ATTORNEY.

MULTIPLE BELT CONVEYOR CROSS COLLECTING TABLE SHINGLE COLLECTING ANDBUNDLING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR WILLIAM HYDEALDENJR.

ATTORNEY w. H. ALDEN, ,lR

Oct. 7, 1952 Filed Dec. 4, 1948 Oct. 7, 1952 w. H. ALDEN, JR 2,612,983

SHINGLE COLLECTING AND BUNDLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 4, 1948 8 Sheets-'Sheet 5 INVENTOR. WILLIAM HYDE ALDEN,JR.!

Arm/mg. N

Oct. 7, 1952 w. H. ALDEN, JR 2,612,933

SHINGLE COLLECTING AND BUNDLING MACHINE! Filed Dec. 4, 1948 8Sheets-Sheet 6 FIGJZ.

INVENTOR. WILLIAM HYDE ALDEN,JR.

ATTORNEY.

Oct. 7, 1952 w. H. ALDEN, JR 2,612,933

SHINGLE COLLECTING AND BUNDLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 4, 1948 8Sheets-Sheet '7 ATTORNEY.

n 5 5 a [1' 5' INVENTOR.

l; m :2 WILLIAM HYDE ALDEN,JR. 3 m \l spare pile to two bundles out ofevery three.

Patented Oct. 7, 1952 SHINGLE COLLECTING AND BUNDLING MACHINE WilliamHyde Alden, J12, Bryn Athyn, Pa., as-

signor to Allied Chemical and Dye Corporation, New York, N. Y., acorporation of New York Application December 4, 1948, Serial No. 63,513

(Cl. l98--35) 3 Claims.

This invention relates to an apparatus and process for handling sheet orslab material and, more particularly, refers to a new and improvedmethod and apparatus for collecting asphalt shingles into bundles asthey are delivered from the cutter and collating them with wrappingmaterial ready for tying.

In the industry, shingles are most commonly sold in a group of bundles,the aggregate number of shingles in each group being sufficient to covera given area usually 100 square feet of surface. A typical number ofshingles required for this coverage is 80 shingles which, due todiiilculties in packaging and handling, are ordinarily divided intothree bundles containing for example 26, 2'7 and 2"! shingles each.

A number of devices have been suggested for collecting, stacking andwrapping shingles into bundles but all have at lea'st one defect such asrequiring a relatively large amount of manual labor, frequent occurrenceof error in number of shingles in a bundle, and slow operation.

As an example of a conventional method of bundling shingles, theshingles from a cutter are delivered to chutes, one for each lane ofshingles, and thence to a belt conveyor which is sloped upward. If afour lane sheet is being run, there would be two belt conveyors eachreceiving shingles from two chutes. When a two lane sheet is run onebelt conveyor only is used. The belt conveyors are operatedat a speed toimpart sufficient momentum to deliver the shingles horizontally tosuitable catch boxes which are open at the side for the removal ofshingles. When about half a bundle has accumulated in one of the catchboxes, an operator removes them manually and; places them on a wrapperpreviously placed by him on a roller conveyor; A hell on the cutter isrung by a counting device when the required number of shingles tocompose a bundle has been delivered to the catch box and the oporatorthen removes the balance of the bundle and places it on the part of thebundle previously placed on the roller conveyor. As the number ofshingles of this type required per bundle is 27 for two bundles and 26for the third, it is necessary for the operator to add a shingle from aFor three or four lane operation, two catch box operators are required,both making up bundles on the same roller conveyor. When the requirednumber of shingles have been placed on the wrappers they are pushed byhand along the roller conveyor one at a time to a jog box. At this stagethe shingles are notstacked evenly with each other. The jog box ispivoted so that the jog box operator can tip the bundle on edge and byshaking the box when the shingles are on edge and manipulating theshingles with his right hand he evens up the bundle, after which, withan upward and forward motion of the jog box handle he restores thebundle to horizontal position and discharges it from the jog box onto apower driven tying conveyor which is located in front of the jog box andat a right angle to the roller conveyor.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide an efiicienteconomical method 1 and equipment for continuously receiving shinglesbundles of the desired number ready iortying.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improvedcross-collecting table for receiving shingles from the cutter, partiallystacking and transferring the shingles to the succeeding device. 7

A further object is to provide an improved means of averaging out thetotal number of shingles in a group of bundles. when that number is notan even multiple of the number of lanes of shingles from the cutter byautomatically providing each bundle with a number of shingles which arean even multiple or the number of lanes with the correct average numberof shingles per bundle and with the variation in shingles betweenbundles not greater than the number of lanes.

A further object is to provide an improved method and apparatus fordepositing stacks of shingles placeclona wrap-around wrapper ona tyingconveyor.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description and accompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 diagrammatically represents the major items of equipment and thepassage of shingles through my apparatus. l

Fig. 2 is a partial isometric view illustrating the unitary operation ofthe assembled apparatus.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the cross-collecting table together with partof the multiple belt conveyor.

Fig. l illustrates a typical shingle with pushers disposed behind it topropel it forward. Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the cross-collectingtable taken on line 55 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is an end view of the cross-collecting table taken on line 6-4 ofFig. 2. l

Fig. 7 shows part of the pusher mechanism of the cross-collectingtableon a large scale. l

Fig. 8 is an end view of the pusher mechanism taken on line 88 of Fig.'7.

Fig. 9 is, on a larger scale and in partial section, 7a part of thepusher mechanism shown on Fig.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of an alternative form of cross-collecting table.

Fig. 11 is a front elevation of the cross-collecting table shown in Fig.10.

Fig. 12 is an end view of the cross-collecting table shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 13 is a side elevation of the collecting pockets conveyor whenviewed from the discharge side of the cross-collecting table.

Fig. 14 is a front elevation of the collecting pockets conveyor taken online I l-44 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 15 shows the escape mechanism of the collecting pockets conveyor ona larger scale.

Fig. 16 is a side elevation of the roller conveyor clamshell type takenin the direction of the arrows on line 16-48 of Fig. 2.

Fig. V1'? is a front elevation of the roller conveyor clamshell type.

Fig. 18' is a plan view of the platform of the roller conveyor clamshelltype taken on line i8l8 of Fig. 16.

Shingles are ordinarily cut in various shapes from lengths of asphalticmaterial and the shingles from the cutting machine discharged usually atdifferent levels onto a belt conveyor. In Fig. 1 shingles from thecutting machine received by a multiple belt conveyor l, are elevated tothe level of and discharged onto cross-collecting table 2. Multiple beltconveyor i may be of any conventional type and will normally have twotail shafts at different levels with a single head shaft driven from oneof the cutter shafts with the proper ratio for timing so that theshingles will be delivered to the cross-collecting table 2 at the samespeed as they are delivered from the cutter b'elts.

"Cross-collecting table 2 has a top surface or platform composed ofrollers arranged in lanes at successively lower levels. Interchangeabletable tops with various numbers of lanes and lane widths may be providedfor each condition of shingle production. The top of cross-collectingtable 2 is inclined at an angle in the direction of the oncomingshingles. approximately 30 from the horizontal, permitting shinglesentering the lanes of the cross-collecting table to roll by gravity tothe end of the table where they come to 7 rest against a stop. Thedischarge of shingles from the cutter and the speed of multi le beltconveyor I are related to effect successive delivery of s ingles, instaggered relationship, pref erably with about a 3 to 8 inch lag betweenshingles in successive lanes, onto the lanes of cross-collecting table2. Thus, when a shingle in the lane of highest elevation reaches the endof cross-collecting table '2, pushers disposed between rollers and oerating at a right angle to the direction of delivery of the shinglesadvance to push the shingles from a region of higher elevation or laneof highest level on which the first shingle rests, to succeeding lanesof lower level on which the remaining shingles on the cross-collectingtable lie thereby superimposing and stack ing the shingles. The speed ofthe pushers across the crosscollectin'g table is correlated with theentrance of the staggered shingles onto the succeeding lanes in suchmanner that the lateral movement of the pushers commence when theshingle in the lane of highest elevation is at the end of travel againstthe stop and the forward motion of the pushers is timed to arrive ateach succeeding lane of lower elevation just subsequent to the shingleon that lane reaching the stop at the end of the table. Pushers continuetheir advance to discharge the stack of shingles from the lane of lowestlevel onto the succeeding device, collecting pockets conveyor 3. Thenumber of pushers and their disposition in the spaces between rollers ofthe cross-collecting table will depend on the size and shape of theshingle. The main crank shaft of the pusher mechanism is positivelydriven from the cutter and synchronized with the discharge from thecutter to correlate discharge of shingles from the cutter with thedischarge of shingles from the cross-collecting table.

Collecting pockets conveyor 3 is a vertical conveyor comprising acontinuous chain passing over sprockets above and below the position forreceiving. shingles from cross-collecting table 2. Mounted on theendless chain are a series of equally spaced collecting pockets each ofwhich consists of a base composed of rollers arranged for motionparallel to the line of delivery of shingles with a back plateperpendicular to the length. of the rollers. Collecting pockets areintermittently lowered a short distance after each small group ofshingles are discharged by the pushers from cross-collecting table 2onto a collecting pocket in a receiving position. When the number ofshingles to complete a bundle has been delivered to a collecting pocketprovision is made for a sufiiciently large drop of the pocket .c-onveyorto bring the next pocket into receiving po sition. The collecting.pockets may be adjusted to take different widths of shingles. Thenecessary number of shingles per bundle is insured by means of. anescape mechanism consisting of a ratchet andv pawl, operating in theusual way, passing one tooth of the ratchet for each reciprocatorymotion of. the pawl; however when one. end of the. pawl comes. incontact with a portion of the ratchet which has teeth missing acorrespondingly greater rotation takes place consequently permitting thecollecting pocket with the desired number of shingles to drop down outof receiving position and a succeeding empty collecting pocket to moveinto position for receiving shingles. The receiving pocket mechanism isactivated by gravity, at least one full pocket being in position at. alltimes to provide the necessary unbalanced weight. The pawl of the escapemechanism is related to the movement of the pusher mechanism in thecross-collecting table 2. Interchangeable ratchets may be provided foreach type of shingle and number of shingles required per bundle. Theteeth in each ratchet are spaced to provide for the correct averagenumber of shingles in the bundles resulting from one complete revolutionof the ratchet.

Collecting pockets conveyor 3. is tilted in such manner that the basesof the collecting pockets on the receiving side are inclined downwardlyin a direction at a right angle to the direction of the shingles movinginto the collecting pockets. To prevent shingles from sliding off theside of the inclined collecting pockets, an upright crossbar shoulderstationed adjacent the side of collecting pockets restrains the bundleof shingles thereon. This shoulder extends down to a point just abovethe top of the bundle in the discharge position of the collectingpocket. When a collecting pocket containing the desired number ofshingles to form a bundle drops to discharge position, the bundle ofshingles thereon, no longer restrained by the cross-bar shoulder, rollsby gravity onto a pivoted platform consisting of a series of parallelrollers and forming part of roller conveyor clamshell type 4 referred toalso as clamshell conveyor or bundle catcher.

The clamshell conveyor has as its base, a suspended substantiallyhorizontal ourved roller platform disposed adjacent the discharge end ofthe stationary platform'for receiving bundles of shingles fromcollecting pockets conveyor 3. Each bundle of shingles discharged fromthe collecting pocket rolls by gravity onto the platform of theclamshell until it comes to rest by means of a stop at the far end ofthe platform. Contact of the bundle with a switch mounted on the stopstarts an electric motor which causes the plat form, divided intosections at itscenter, to swing apart thereby permitting the bundle ofshingles to drop onto an actuated tying conveyor 5 disposed directlybeneath the platform of the clamshell. As the bundle moves on the tyingconveyor 5 out of the path of the clamshell it strikes a release whichcauses the sections of the platform of the clamshell to return bygravity to their normal closed position or a switch may be substitutedfor the release, the former actuating power means for positively closingthe clamshell. Backing board for each bundle of shingles may if desiredbe placed on the receiving pockets or on the tying conveyor or awrap-around wrapper may be placedon the tying conveyor in position toreceive the bundles as deposited by the clamshell conveyor.

Fig. 2 illustrates an isometric view of my shingle collecting andcounting device. stripped of the non-essential details of the structuralsupporting framework. Multiple belt conveyor i carrying 4 lanes ofshingles on belts b, l, 3 and 9 (number of lanes may be more or less)terminates in common head shaft i I disposed adjacent receiving end ofcross-collecting table 2. The staggered position of shingles 52, I3, l4and iii carried by multiple belt conveyor I onto crosscollecting table 2are indicated by dotted lines. As the shingles l2, 13, M and i5 rolldown inclined cross-collecting table 2 onto respective lanes I6, 51, I3and is maintained at decreasing levels they are stopped when they reachthe end of the table by angle iron 2 l. Pushers 22 shown in their mostforward position have just completed discharging a stack of fourshingles onto collecting pocket of collecting pockets conveyor 3.Pushers 22 are then retracted to the rear of the table and then repeatthe operation of advancing forward to stack and push another group offour shingles onto the receiving pocket. For. greater time efficiencythe forward motion of the pushers may commence when shingle i2 hasreached the end of cross-collecting table 2 since by the time pushers 22have advanced across lane i i, shingle I3 will have reached the end ofcross-collecting table 2 and successively shingles M and [ti will reachtheir respective stops ahead of the cross pushers 22.

For clarity, a portionof collecting pockets conveyor 3 has been omittedfrom Fig. 2. Sprockets 23 are meshed with endless chains 24 on whichlatter are mounted receiving pockets consisting of roller bases 25 andforwardly adjustablebaclr plates 26. The shingles on collecting pockets23 are prevented from rolling off by restraining shoulder 21 until thebundle of shingles shown in dotted lines and designated by numeral 28drops todischarge position at which point shingles 2% pass below therestraining shoulder 21 and move by gravity down inclined pivotedplatform 23 of clamshell conveyor i. The intermittent motion ofcollecting pockets conveyor 3 is regulated by escape mechanism 3!connected to: sprocket 23 by means of gear 32 mounted on shaft 33meshing with gear 34 mounted on shaft 35. Connecting rod 36 terminatingin eccentric 51 mounted on shaft 31 coordinates the movement of theescape mechanism 3| with the motion of pushers 22 on cross-collectingtable 2. As the bundle of shingles 23 moves along pivoted rollerplatform 29 onto clamshell conveyor 4 it advances to the end ofclamshell 4 where it is stopped bystop plate 33 centering it on theplatform of clamshell 4. The platform of clamshell 4 may be said toconsist of three sections, pivoted platform 29 and sections 33, and 40.Mounted on stop 38, not shown in the drawing, is a switch which whenpressed by bundle'of shingles 2t actuates a motor which causes sections39 and 43 to divide and section 29 which is pivotably mounted at andadjacent to pocket conveyor 3 to raise out of the way of section 43thereby permitting the bundle of shingles 28 to drop down onto tyingconveyor 5 shown in Figs. 16 and 17. counterweight I31 or mit the use ofwrap-around wrappers in connection with automatic shingle collectingequipment which hitherto to the best of my' knowledge has not beenpossible of accomplishment. The wrap-around wrapper is more economicaland protects the shingles better than other forms'of wrapping such asbacking board and cover. The wrap-around wrapper may be placed oncounterweighted bars 50 disposed directly beneath clamshell 4 either byhand or automatically at the proper time to receive shingles fromclamshell conveyor 4. Normally, the counterweights on bars 53 cause themto remain elevated until a bundle of shingles 28 dropping throughaperture between divided sections 39 and it! lowers bars 53 until thebundle of shingles is engaged by wheels (Figs. 16 and 17) which carry itaway onto conveyor 6%). i

Fig. 3 is a plan view of cross-collecting table 2 together with thedischarge portion of multiple belt conveyor l. Shingles l2, I3, it and15 in respectivelanes l3, ll, l3 and i9 advance onto cross-collectingtable 2 in staggered relationship on respective belt conveyors lanes 3,l, 8 and 9 terminating in common head shaft H. Lanes i6, l7, l8 and ii]at succeeding lower levels are composed of a series of rollers 52, 43,4d and 45. The spaces between the rollers provide passageways forpushers 22 moving at right angles to the direction of the enteringshingles. Stop plate 2i halts the advance of the shingles when theyarrive at the end of the sloped cross-collecting table maintaining themin alignment and preventing them from sliding off the table.

. collecting table 2. i

In Fig. 5 are shown the four lanes of rollers t2, 43, M and 45 atdecreasing elevations on which are disposed shingles l2, l3, Ill and I5.The ends of the rollers are mounted in supports 53 supported by member54. Pusher 22 isshown in a forward position in solid lines and inrepositivelyi'drivenrfromi. and. properlyv timedwith thelcuttermechanismlengagessprocket 51 thereby effecting" rotatloni of' shaft. 58.The rotary movement of shaft 58 is. converted into. reciproacating-gmotion'by'meansof crank 59 mounted on shaft 58 whichzispivota11yattached to: sliding member: 62* by means: of pin 6 I causing member?62'toslide: back andforth inchannel 63 of'main crank: 64: The-lower endof main shaft 64 is mounted on-shaft3'l onto which latter eccentric 5|isialso mounted thereby providing reciprocating;motion. to rod. 36::connected to the pawl of.

escape-:mechanismol. Extension arm 651s pivota11y'"attachedz tothe upperend: of the main crank 64-by-pin82l Wristpinfll connects arm B5,.tolinkarm 69 mounted. on shaft Gflwhich in turn is supported by: sleeves?!sliding backand forth on horizontal guide rod. 661 Pushers-22' arerigidly mounted. onshaft 68; Retarding spring 66' pressingagainstbarG-lf rigidly attached to sleeve-.6 delays the return of sleeve61 to aiford pushers; 22an. opportunity to be first. loweredbeforeretraction. Typical structural framework members 48, 49, 12, 13,T4 and 15 are provided for. supporting cross-collecting table and. itsrelated mechanism.

Fig. Gpresents another view of cross-collecting. table 2." and dischargeand of multiple belt conveyor l showing its-common:head shaft Handconveyor belts! and. 9. On the top of crosscollectingtable are" members53 which support rollers forming thefour lanes onto which the shinglesfrom multiple belt conveyor: ldischarge;- Between. theerollersat thettopof the table are pushers 22. Atapproximately the center of Fig. Gtmay.be seenshaft 58 journalled in bearings 'ls which latter are supportedbyframe member 81. Chain 56- driven from. the cutter turns sprocket 57afiixed. toshaft 58. Arm 59 is attached at one end'to shaft 58 and atthe other end to pin 6| onwhichlatter-is mounted sliding member 62whichcslides'in channel 63 of main crank 64 thereby converting therotary motion of shaft fiain-toan oscillating motion of crank 64. Maincrank 64 ispivotally. connected to connectingrod 65 by means of pin82.Connecting rod 65 inturnis pivotallyattached to. arm 59 by means ofwristpin 1! and arm 69 in. turn is rigidly mounted onshaft 68 which inturn is afiixed to sleeve 6!- (Fig. 7), which latterslidesbackand'forthonrodfifi./ Pushers22 are also afiixedto. shaft. 68-.In. this manner. rotary motion-Y of shaft 58-. is convertedinto'reciprocatory motionnformoving pushers 22 back and forth inthespaces between. rollers lz, 33, 44 and. 45 composing the top ofcross-collecting table 2 and. retraction. of. the pushers 22 out of the.path of. the shingles on. the return stroke isaccomplished. Although anelectric motor may be employed as a means of driving chain 56 onsprocket 51. the motivating power for driving thev pushers is desirablygeared directly to the cutters. Inany event the speed of the 'pushers'should be. synchronized with the. discharge rate ofi'shingles frommultiple belt conveyor. I onto cross-collecting table 2-. The lower'end'ofmain crank. 64' is mounted on shaft 31 causing the latterto revolvealternately clockwise and counterclockwise in an incomplete circle.Shaft 3?! imparts. reciprocating motion to rod 36 by means of eccentrictil to which it is attached at one end andfconnected at itsother end tothe pawl of escapemechanism 3|.

Although the platform of cross-collecting table 2: isrshown: as;composed" of; lanes, of; rollers: in.

Fig; 5; it: will be evident. thatjfiatzsurfacesi'or;

any suitable;supportmay be-employed'forr'supeporting. .the:'shi-ngles:in lanes :of" descendingiqlevel.

Fig; 7- illustrates:iii-greater: detail 11115118135522: andmeansformaintaining; themin upright :posi'r tion" when advancing acrossthetable-and-irrloW- cred position sou-as: not tosst'rike the oncoming:vshingles whenbeingjretracted; on guide; rodcBS? mounted at its: endsinz-supports fifi iszssleevesfili' which; slides" back and forth on?rod; 66. Shaft- 68: on whichzpush-ers; 2 23' are-rigidly. "mounted is:carriedfkbaclc' and forth. with sleeve 621* byiexten'e-l sioniiiafiixedlto sleeve 6']. Also: rigidly mounted; on shaft fidr: iszlinkrarm. I BSiwhi'ch :i'n;turn:is .cona nested-to: arm .65: bymeansiofiwristj-pin. '[l At! fixed to linkrarm, 69 are; bars; or. lugsiaand: 8B and afiix'ed to extension. 10: of:sle'eve :61 :isiban 81. When.'EXGEHSiUIlfi-IITI-"fifii is: propelled inia forwardl direction, arm 6 9assumes: .a? vertical positiomre+- taining that"position:bytb-arf13$stopping-iagadnsti lug-:81. The: upward movement"- offarmifilitcausesishaft Sitto rotate slightlycarrying withtitipushen 22" which then alsoassu-meswa-nv upright pos o Whenconnectingo rodili'fi movesrearwardly'iti pulls arm 651 downtxto axrel'atively horizontal p'ost-..tion where it. is: maintainecl:by bar: 85 stopping against bar 87;The-downwardzmovem'ent of. arm til-rotatesshaft168i'counterclockwisethereby causing pusher 22 to? assume a:lowered? position out of the Way of the oncoming shingles enteringcross-collecting tablei2j To make certain: that: pushersi 22: are: in:low-' ered' positionzbefore being-"retracted; a restrain ing spring (it?pressing againstfb'ar 61 attached; to sleeve iii isrprovided'rtherebyde'layingg'thezrez-r turnof sleeveii'l'until armli5z'cause's;pushersa22: to be lowered. A.similar.springarrangement-maifi beprovided. at the opposite: end' ofi'rodi'sfi' thus assuring. pushers .22.Jbeing'in'an upright position. prior to itsradvanceagainstthelshingles'i Fig. 8 represents"anotheri'view of- Fig: T'shoW ing shaftEd on which is mounted sleeve ltl an'dextensionim Pusher 2'2 andlinkarm69 to which is affixed bars fiiiiand'lfili are rigidly attachedto' shaft68;. Bar 81' remains in. fixed position on extension 1810f sleeve 61.

Fig. 9 illustrates-in further? detail the=arrange ment formaintainingpusher 2 2 in'uprig-htandl lowered position. Bars 85.andfi'fi atta'ched to memberrtll' rotate inxtne direction of the' movement of the; pushers; Bari 81' remains in?fiked position; Since.IinkIarnIs 69: and pushers' 22" are both rig-idly mounted: onshaft 68,rotation" of shaft 68 caused'by'the forwardly and rearwardly' movement:of: arm 69: would likewisecausepusher 22 to. assume an uprightorloweredposition: Thusbars 85; Stand: 8-1" actias stop means for maintaining thepushersin a relativelyhorizons tal or vertical position;

In 10 is illustratedia plan: view of an alter-'-- native form ofcross-collecting table showing head shaft ii. atithetdischarge side of'a-multiple belt" conveyor l and. belts-6 T, 3*and'9 carrying shinglesi2; i3, wand l5 ontoithe cross -collect ing table; Weightedidler;wheels: m attached to. arm I35; whichjlatter is p-ivotallymountedzonshaft :35! which in. turn-is mountedon' support,- 6363, press.against-thetop. of; the shingles being. transferred. from. the multiple:belt. conveyor. to. the cross-collecting, tablethereby facilitating the.passage of theshingl'esinadirect line onto the lanes of thecross-collectingtables. Thescrosscollecting table is divided in fourlanes. designated; by numeralsifid, 89, and'9 i Pushers, not-illuss tionat right angles to the direction of the entering shingles. The entirecross-collecting table is tilted to permit shingles I2, I3, I4 and iiito slide by gravity to the end of the table until stopped by angle iron9?. Each of the lanes 88, 39, and 9| is provided with platforms inclinedat an angle from the horizontal in such manner that the forward orleading side of one shingle is disposed at a level above the hind sideof the adjacent shingle in the next lane 11). Thus, as the pushersadvance across the cross-collecting table through passageways 92, 93, 9dand 95, the shingles are superimposed one upon the other prior to theirdischarge onto collectin pockets conveyor 3. The arrangement of thelanes and the position of the shingles thereon may be better seen inFig. 11 which is a side elevation of Fig. 10. Shingles I2, I3, i4 and I5rest on respective inclined platforms 58, 09, IOI and 02. All theplatforms in this type of arrangement may if desired be on a commonlevel. The shingle supports making up the platforms may be a flatsurface and need not be constructed of a series of rollers. i

Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the alternative form of cross-collectingtable together with discharge end of multiple belt conveyor consistingof head shaft II and belts 9 and l. is shown supported by inclinedplatform I02 divided into sections to permit pushers to pass throughspaces 92, 93, 0t, 95 and 00 through which pushers move to discharge theshingles Shingle I 5 from the cross-collecting table onto collectingpockets conveyor 3. Sections of platform I02 between pusher slots aretilted so as to prevent the forward edges of shingles from catching inthe pusher slots i352, 93164.95 and $36.

Collecting pockets conveyor 3 shown in Fig. 13 comprises a pair ofcontinuous chains 24 revolving around spaced sprockets 23 and attachedto chains 24 are a series of collecting pockets on which the shinglesfrom cross-collecting table 2 discharge when a pocket is in receivingposition. The base 25 of each collecting pocket consists of a series oftwenty-four rollers I03 on which the shingles rest; a perpendicular backplate 26 retains the bundle of shingles discharged thereon by pushers 22of cross-collecting table 2. As each group of shingles deposits on thecollecting pocket in receiving position, it moves intermittentlydownwardly a suilicient distance to receive the next group of fourshingles from cross-collecting table 2. When the desired number (24 or28) of shingles to form a single bundle has been deposited on thereceiving pocket it drops out of the path of the discharge end ofcross-collecting table .2 and a following collecting pocket moves intoposition adjacent the discharge end for de-- livery of another smallstack of shingles. An escape mechanism 3| operating in synchronism andproperly timed with pushers 22 permits movement of the collectingpockets induced by the weight of the shingles in the pockets so that thedesired number of shingles are placed in each pocket before an emptypocket is brought into position to receive shingles. The escapemechanism 3I comprises two ratchets I04 mounted on shaft with offsetpawl I05 operating between theratchets. Ratchets I04 are keyed in placeon shaft 35. Ratchet shaft 35 is connected to lower sprocket shaft 33 bymeans of gears 32 and 34 of suitable ratio. Suitable structuralframework port collecting pockets conveyor 3. I

In Fig. 14 is illustrated another view of collectdesignated by numeralIO'I is employed to sup-:

ing pockets conveyor 3 showing endless chain 24 passing over uppersprockets 23 mounted on shaft I08 and lower sprockets 23 mounted onshaft 33.1

Attached to endless chain 24 are a series of receiving pocketsconsisting of base 25 and back plate 26 perpendicular tothe base.

To accommodate different sizes of shingles, an

adjustable back plate 26 may be provided .for'

different depths of collecting pockets as shown in dotted lines in Fig.14, or a double back plate 20 may be provided with the rear plate remaining in fixed position and the forward plate capable of being moved tothe desired depth of pocket; Shingles discharged onto receiving pocket25 when in receiving position are prevented from rolling oil? the pocketby cross-bar shoulder 21. As pocket 25 moves downwardly to the dischargeposition the shingles thereon are no longer restrained by shoulder 21and roll onto stationary platform 29. Ofiset pawl I05 activated by rod36 and synchronized with the movement of pushers 22 ordinarily allowsratchet I04 to ro- I tate the distance of one tooth which by means ofgears 32 and 34 permit collecting pocket 25120 drop a distance slightlygreater than the height of four shingles. When pawl I05 reaches thatportion of ratchet I04 with teeth missing a correspondingly greaterrotation takes place causing thecollecting pocket 25 to drop awayfrompreceiving position and the succeeding pocket 25 to come intoposition for receiving shingles. As is evident, ratchcts may be providedfor each type of shingle, number of lanes and number required perbundle. The teeth in each ratchet are spaced to provide the correctaverage number of shingles per bundles per revolution of the ratchet.

In Fig. 15 may be seen an example of ratchet I04 with teeth arranged inthree groups, each group separated by missing teeth as indicated bycross hatching. The second ratchet (Fig. 2) has a full complementofteeth. The weight of shingles 28 in collecting pockets 25 mounted onendless chains 24 (Fig. 2).tends to rotatesprockets 23 meshed withendless chains 24 in a counterclockwise direction. Sprockets 23 gearedto ratchet I04are dependent on the latter forthein The rotation ofratchet I04 sition provides the necessary weight for initially 1nducingmovement of the pockets. A group of shingles, for example four shingles,from crosscollecting table 2 is then deposited on the empty collectingpocket 25 in receiving position. Rod 36 motivated by pushers 22 actuatespawl I05 allowing ratchet I04 to rotate the distance of one tooththus'permitting the collecting pocket to drop a. distance of about theheight of four shmglesr A second group of four shingles is thendeposited on the first group of shingles following which pawl I05releases ratchet I04 to permit it to rotate the distance of anothertooth. This operation is repeated until all the teeth in the group ofteeth of ratchet I04 has been passed by pawl I05 whereupon the ratchetrotates a dis-- tarice :correspondingrto: the number ofimis n's.

teeth and thereafter pawlf 105 engages the first tooth of thefollowingigroup-of' teeth. The move-' ment. of collecting pockets 25due; to missing teethf between groups of teeth on;ratchet i04- issufficient to..drop collecting pocket 25' out of receiving; position andadvance the succeeding pocket into. receiving position. The number ofteeth in each group may; bev identical in which case eachbundle-ofishingles. would be the same.

Variationsin the relativenumberi of teeth in each group: wouldgivecorresponding relative differ.- encessin the-number of shingles in eachbundle. For example, assume three bundles totalling 80shinglesuare-desired and that thecross-collecting tableis-designedtodeliver groups of four-shingles each. to. the collecting pockets.conveyor;

of teeth, two groups: having thesame I number of teeth and, one groupsmaller by one; tooth. As

delivered BO-shingles composedof three bundles with therespectivebundles containing ZS, 28and 24 shing1es.

Roller conveyorclamshelltyped; Fig. 16-, has a curved substantiallyhorizontal. platform divided intosections 39, 48 and-29 016 which 39 andM3 aresupportedby beams Hi5, III,- I'Iaand I I3 suspended from shaft H4.Section' 29 is hinged atone end by rod I I5 and attached to the otherend iscable IIG: afiixed' to. extension I-I 'I rigidly attached tosection. 29. A. bundle of shingles 28 discharged from. collectingpockets conveyor 3 roll down. onto .pivotedaplatform 29 thence onto; theplatform of clamshell conveyor 4 to the-end ofthe: platform whereitisstopped by stop plate- 38r Contact of: the-bundle 23 with stop-M atthe far end of theplatform moves a switch, not shown in the drawing,suitably'dispo'sed on stop 38. which starts motor H8;

keyed tovshaf ts I23 and I24 to. rotatein' opposite directions. Mountedon shafts l-2 3flandi I'Z-dare also arms. I25 and I 25, respectively.The ends-of lever armsv I'2-5 and I26 move downwardly in slots I21 andI28 thereby causing beams I II and H2 to diverge thus causing sections39and 4'0 l10idivide and move apart in an arc,.their. open positionbeing shown by the dotted-lines.- Cable H6- extends along idler pulleyI3I andhas. affixed to its other end a counterweight I31 which causeshinged section 29 to be elevated for the purpose ofJremoving it from thepath of section ill w'henit extends outwardly. The weight of a bundle ofshingles deposited on platform 29' drops it into alignment with sectionthereby permittingthe bundle of shingles to continue its passage ontosections 39- and 40. Rest I38 prevents platform- 29 from falling belowthe level of section 40. If desired power driven means not. shown in thedrawing may be employedto elevate hinged section. 29 simultaneously'withthe division of sections 40 and 39;

The ratchet employed shouldxthen. have three groups The motor drivesgear H9 connected to. gear I2I which in turn is" meshed with'gear- I22causinggears I21 and. I22

act-aces Beneath sections 39 and Marcia series ofpar allel bars 50pivotally mounted on support I39- the aperture formed by the division ofsections 39 and 40 onto the wrap-around wrapper overbalances weight I IIthus lowering the wrap-- around wrapper and bundle 28 thereon until-theyare engaged by revolving conveyor wheels I42 dis posed beneath andbetween bars 59. Wheels. I42

are driven by motor I43 and belt I44. As the bundle 28 moves offconveyor 5 onto conventional conveyor 59 out of the path of clamshellconveyor 4 it strikes a release not shown in the drawing which causesthe sections of the platform of clamshell 4- to return by gravity totheir normal closed position or alternatively, bundle 28 on conveyor 60may strike a switch thereon which actuates power mechanism forpositively closing sections 39 and 40.

Fig. 17 is a side View of clamshell conveyor 3 and particularly showsthe motor H8 driving gears HQ and I2] which causes arms E25 and I25 torotate thereby dividing sections 39 and 4B. A bundle of shingles 28shown resting on platform 33 drops onto actuated tying conveyor 5immediately disposed beneath sections 39 and 40.

A plan view of the sectional platform of clamshell e is illustrated inFig. 18. Section 29 hinged at one end with rod H5. and supported at theother end by extension II? and cable [I6 is dis-- posed adjacent sectionat supported by beams;

II3 and H2. The other dividing section 39 is supported by beams I I Iand IE9. At the far end of section 39 is stop plate 38. Shown in dottedlines on sections 35 and 453 is a bundle of shinles 28.

Although in the foregoing description the apparatus and process has beenillustrated'with' reference to shingles it will be obvious that otherrelatively flat articles-could be handledlin a simi.

lar manner.

While I have illustrated the major items of equipment in my apparatusoperating in combination with one another it will be apparent that theymay be utilized individually or in conj,unc-- For instancathe-clam shellconveyor may, be employed todrop stacks of articles on a conveyor with.any suitable feed-- tion with other devices.

ing means for delivering the: stacks tothe-clamshell conveyor. Likewise,the cross-collecting; table and collecting, pockets conveyor may. be;adapted to operate: with devices other than those:

illustrated.

Although preferred embodimentsv of the'invemtion have been disclosed forpurposes of illustra-- tion,.it will beevident that various changes andmodifications may be made therein: without departingiroin the scope and.spirit of! theainven-- tion.

I claim;

1. An article handling andsta'cking apparatus comprising a tableplatform: composed ofa" plurality of spaced rollers disposed at a rightangle to the direction of the delivery of thearticles and divided'intoparallel lanes of descending level rollers adapted to push the articleson said lanes from lanes of higher elevation to lanes of lower elevationthereby stacking said articles and discharging the stacked articles fromsaid table, means for retaining said pushers during its forward motionin upright position in contact with the edges of said articles on saidtable, and means for lowering said pushers beneath the horizontal planeof said articles on said table when retracting said pushers.

2. Apparatus for handling and stacking shingles comprising incombination, a multiple conveyor for delivering the shingles to a table,said table having a platform divided into individual shingle lanes ofdescending level upon which the shingles from the multiple conveyordischarge, pusher mechanism operating transversely to the direction ofdelivery of the shingles from the multiple conveyor adapted to push theshingles on said lanes from lanes of higher elevation to lanes of lowerelevation thereby stacking said shingles and discharging them from saidtable, and means for correlating the discharge of shingles from themultiple conveyor with the discharge of shingles from said table.

3. Apparatus for handling and stacking shingles comprising incombination, a multiple conveyor for delivering the shingles instaggered relationship in lanes to a table, said table being dividedinto individual shingle lanes of descending level inclined at an angleto permit shingles from said multiple conveyor to slide on saidindividual shingle lanes by gravity, a stop adjacent 14 the end ofsaicl'individual shingle lanes to maintain the shingles on said table,pusher mechanism operating transversely to the direction of delivery ofthe shingles from the multiple conveyor adapted to push the shingles onsaid individual shingle lanes from lanes of higher elevation to lanes oflower elevation thereby stacking said shingles and discharging themfromsaid table, and means for correlating the discharge of shingles fromthe multiple conveyor with the discharge of shingles from said table.

WILLIAM HYDE ALDEN, J a.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

I UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 460,165 Stebbins Sept. 29, 1891591,801 Agnew Oct. 19, 1897 959,64 1 Sullivan 1 May 31, 1910 1,253,247Jennings Jan. 15, 1918 1,277,100 Marcy Aug. 27, 1918 1,293,182 ParkerFeb. 4, 1919 1,428,184: Price Sept. 5,. 1922 1,736,472 Wego Nov. 19,1929 1,780,716 Otis Nov. 4, 1930 1,898,664 Howe Feb. 21, 1933 1,899,338Keech Feb. 28, 1933 2,025,474 Quigg Dec. 24, 1935 2,144,821 Twomley Jan.24, 1939 Brosemer Sept. 28, 1948

